Great to hear that you're off combustible cigarettes :) You can easily ween down the nicotine from 5% to 3% to 1.5% over a time period too.
Today, I use a nicotine salt formulation on par with the best of JUUL, minus the accellerants.
On those:
The good part is those actually do matter when it comes to smokers switching off combustion. Psychologically, the impact is there and similar enough to not trigger anxieties that inhibit quitting. Fair enough.
The bad part is those make a JUUL absolutely fucking great to a non smoker and particularly younger smoker. Young people will grab one and drain the pod in an hour copping a major league buzz on par with what they can get with combustion cigarettes!
In my view, this should have been partitioned in some way, harder to get and easier to keep out of young hands.
Once someone is vaping, the accellerants are unnecessary given reputable gear and a salt formulation.
I am struggling to remember my source for that info. If it comes to me, I will drop it here.
All I found was the common additive, which is Benzoic Acid. Honestly, that is the heavy hitter, so close enough for this discussion. At one point, I know I saw a more complete list and should have saved it...
The acid increases bioavailability. And it is significant, as in test some people and they will notice. Can't miss it. For all but the nic-whales, adding it makes a big difference. For JUUL, this all means a little bit of vapor can pack a big punch.
The other important thing is the ratio of propoline glycol and glycerin and temp control. Too hot and toxic compounds get made and other bits may be inhaled. Metals. Too cool, and the experience sucks, gear clogs, total mess.
The glycerin has a sweet smell and taste, but it is thick and that property inhibits absorption as well as how well it atomized. (Poorly, in general without using heavy components with moving parts. Makes a good cloud too.
Propoline glycol atomizes very well, but has a harsh feel and taste, but also has better absorption. I do not recall the cloud performance with the fidelity I want, but I think you can take it from here.
Basically, JUUL packaged up a good ratio, used the nicotine salt form, and added the acid and a sprinkle of other things and hit a home run!
Other vendors followed, but few have flavors that make sense. Early on, others were harsh, or very seriously overdoing it. Flavors can be a major league irritant too.
Today, one can get good juice and reasonable gear that has the temperature right and have few worries. The US is making a major league mistake here because this path we are on will favor the hucksters selling shit to people. Not good.
https://www.healthline.com/health/juul-pod-ingredients#:~:te....
Edit: On things like super long flights, I take a little juice and just rub it on the inside of my arm and let it soak in like a patch.
Slowly, given how things look, Mrs and I need to taper down faster and just get away from this all. And frankly, that pisses me off because the cognitive bump I get from nicotine is hard to give up.
Stupid people, who don't care about people, who do care more about money more should not be running things. The problem is chronic in the US and something I do not look forward to.
Hard times ahead for many. Unnecessary hard times.